Letters: Chilean mine rescue, tea party and more

A lesson from Chile

When faced with disaster what did Chile do? President Sebastian Pinera and his staff searched out those most experienced in all essential aspects of a successful operation. They immediately contacted equipment manufacturers and experts who could provide them the necessary assistance. The conclusion: saved lives and a successful, if not miraculous, operation.

What if our government had been so insightful with the Gulf oil leak? What if President Obama and his staff had sought the best help and equipment and put it to work immediately? Our elected officials and those appointed by them have failed us, again. Even though it no longer is on the front page, the disastrous effects of the oil debacle will haunt us for many years to come.

Gilbert Crowell

San Marcos

Gluten-free diet is not a fad

“The Gluten Question” (Health, Oct. 12) does a disservice to U-T readers. The term “fad” has nothing in common with a medically necessary diet that has saved the immune systems of millions of people worldwide. Weight loss may be an unintended but welcome byproduct, but is not the overriding goal. Whether gluten causes someone permanent intestinal damage (label: celiac) or a constant immune inflammatory state (label: gluten intolerant), the symptoms are merely different points on the same scale. Undiagnosed gluten sufferers have a very high incidence of colon cancer in addition to many maladies.

I suggest researching the medical practices in Europe, where they’ve documented a high incidence of celiac disease and for decades have been screening infants for this condition. Anyone with European ancestry has a higher probability of being gluten-sensitive. Because most American doctors are not familiar with the disease, there is needless torment here. My kids were teenagers and I was in my 40s when finally we were correctly diagnosed by the La Jolla Institute of Comprehensive Medicine.

Debra Bleile

Poway

Diet, bowel disease are linked

I was amazed that in the story “Flare-up of bowel disease is a puzzle” (Health, Oct. 12) there was no mention of diet as one cause of inflammatory bowel disease. The connection seems obvious.

I have microscopic colitis as well as a gluten intolerance. Since I was diagnosed, I have done a lot of research, since the medical field’s current stance is that diet has nothing to do with these diseases. We lack the hard data and scientific studies to prove that diet plays a role because most studies are funded by the pharmaceutical industry; it certainly doesn’t profit from diet-based treatments.

However, anecdotal evidence abounds that suggests IBDs can be cured or relieved with diet modifications such as eliminating grains and processed carbohydrates or sugars that can irritate and puncture the intestinal wall, leaching chemicals into the bloodstream that can cause an autoimmune reaction. Those interested in learning more should read “Life Without Bread” by Christian Allan or “Breaking the Vicious Cycle” by Elaine Gotschall.

Ashley Westman

Alpine

Don’t let the perfect be enemy of the good

In response to “Good outcome, ugly process” (Editorial, Oct. 12): San Diego’s unemployment rate continues to hover above 10 percent. Yet when one of our local assemblymen wins passage of a bill that will clear the way for several redevelopment projects, bringing in an estimated 100,000-plus jobs to our region, all the U-T seems to care about is whether a committee hearing was held? Keeping to the legislative process is important. But we can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good when 50,000 construction jobs, 60,000 permanent jobs, and $1.1 billion in sales tax revenue are at stake. Kudos to Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher for seizing the opportunity to help improve our economy.